The last Sunday in March is the normal seasonal wrapup at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, but owing to superb snow cover and skier enthusiasm, management has decided to open for one extra weekend, April 5-6.

Jackie Roux of Windham and Julie Hayes of Portsmouth, NH, were among the throng of enthusiastic skiers at Shawnee Peak yesterday, enjoying superb snow cover and bathed in brilliant sunshine.
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Meantime, Shawnee's annual on-slope BBQ for the season passholders was held yesterday, on a just-perfect early spring day. Per usual, it was held at the Camp Sunshine picnic area, located just off the mid-station on the summit triple chairlift.

Shawnee Peak's annual BBQ for season passholders was held yesterday at the Camp Sunshine picnic area, a few yards away from the mid-station on the summit triple chairlift.
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Grooming machine operator Henry Hudson was in charge of the cheeseburgers, while general manager Ed Rock chatted with the season passholders.

Grooming machine operator Henry Hudson was in charge of flipping the cheeseburgers yesterday.
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Burgers on the grill at yesterday's BBQ for Shawnee Peak season passholders.
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Ed Rock shares a laugh with a skier at the season passholders BBQ yesterday. Ed's wrapping up his 26th season as the GM of Shawnee Peak; it was named Pleasant Mountain when he arrived.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

And speaking of season passes: Shawnee marketing guru Melissa Rock, Ed's daughter in law, points out that the deadline to take advantage of pre-season special pricing for 2008-2009 is this Friday, April 4.